Stopped running/Wont restart

[kevinspann]

Have you ruled out bad gas? Try starting it with shooting ether into the throttle body. It's a quick and easy test to verify you don't have a gas issue.

I had run through a half tank of the gas that i put in there a few days prior with not even a hiccup.

 

[kevinspann]

The verdict seems to be in: Compression on the drivers side 120-130psi in cylinders washed down with fuel from cranking...passenger side:

 

[budwich]

Ta dah. Glad you found it. Now tougher part... fixing the dam thing.... good luck.

 

[kevinspann]

Pulled the passenger side valve cover while tearing down the engine (much more work than i thought)...the cassette seems to have com apart, as there is NO tension on that chain

 

[dave_1998]

I had this happen to my 98 at 44k mi. on 9/10/01. My passenger side timing chain failed, caused a cracked head. The dealer wanted $2800. You have to pull the engine to get to the passenger side timing chain because it is in the back of the engine. I *****ed forever and they gave me a good will discount and did the job for $1400. Good luck.

 

[jlsparky7]

Glad you found the problem. Do a write up on the engine pull. It would help a lot of people.

 

[Scott Naylor]

Definitely sounds like the timing chain to me. Does the engine seem to turn over faster now?

Definitely sounds like the timing chain to me. Does the engine seem to turn over faster now?

Jlsparky,
I am trying to help my friend. He has a 1998 Exploder with the 4.0l SOHC engine. 190,000 miles, was driving, engine stopped running and would not restart. I am a mechanic of 30 yrs exp. Turned key to see if it turned over to find that it does very fast, with no compression at all. After reading one of your posts I think the timing chains are at fault. At this point, do you think the engine is salvageable by installing all new and updated timing components? If not, will any year SOHC engine work as a replacement if I treat it as a long block install? I am scheduled for shoulder surgery soon, so if you can contact me directly, that would be great.
Thank you,
Scott A Naylor
360-661-7401
scottnaylor@hotmail.com

 

[koda2000]

Jlsparky,
I am trying to help my friend. He has a 1998 Exploder with the 4.0l SOHC engine. 190,000 miles, was driving, engine stopped running and would not restart. I am a mechanic of 30 yrs exp. Turned key to see if it turned over to find that it does very fast, with no compression at all. After reading one of your posts I think the timing chains are at fault. At this point, do you think the engine is salvageable by installing all new and updated timing components? If not, will any year SOHC engine work as a replacement if I treat it as a long block install? I am scheduled for shoulder surgery soon, so if you can contact me directly, that would be great.
Thank you,
Scott A Naylor
360-661-7401
scottnaylor@hotmail.com

The short answer is no. The 4.0L SOHC is an interference engine. When the timing chain lets go the valves get whacked. Timing chain failure is the typical death for these engines. It's not a matter of IF but WHEN they will fail. Rebuilding the engine requires engine removal and is an expensive proposition in parts and labor. A rebuilt engine will also cost more than the vehicle is worth. A used engine is a big gamble. I wouldn't consider installing a used engine w/out replacing all the timing components.